Gillman secures pole position in style

Laith Pharon started fast but it was Scott Gillman and the Emirates team that made it count when it mattered most.

Gillman was menacingly quick during yesterday's top-six shoot out for pole position at the Qatar Grand Prix, taking pole and setting the fastest time of the day in the same lap.

The No 1 Emirates driver finished the 2.1 kilometre course in 47.78 seconds, almost half a second faster than Pharon from Saudi Arabia.

Gillman should also have some room in front when the Grand Prix starts today because his arch-rival and world championship leader, Guido Cappellini, broke down on his qualifying lap.

Cappellini has won every pole position this year but Gillman arrived in Qatar with a point to prove after a crash with the Italian during the last Grand Prix ended his race early.

"The boat ran good today and it's nice to see Guido starting from sixth," said Gillman after winning his 25th pole position.

"Guido's obviously driving for the championship but I'm driving to win the race.

"But in saying that you never know how Guido's going to come off the dock tomorrow, he might be in third after the first turn."

Last win

Pharon's last victory was in Abu Dhabi in 2003 but the Saudi driver appeared supremely confident after qualifying.

"The (longer straights) definitely favour the shorter boats so I hope it's a little choppy tomorrow because that will bring us up the field," said Pharon.

Earlier in the day Cappellini was fastest followed by Sami Selio from Finland with his new boat.

Selio looked ominous throughout the day's racing but the Fin was clearly nervous during the shoot-out because he almost flipped his boat three times on his first qualifying lap.

Gillman's team mate, Thani Al Qamzi, finished a respectable 12th, about a second slower than the front runners.

On what was a fantastic day for boat racing, Philippe Chiappe and David Trask created some early excitement.

Chiappe's boat "delaminated" and started sinking, while Trask did a full roll and spun during the second timed session and escaped unhurt.

Chiappe was towed around Marine Bay to prevent the boat from submerging and to give the crews time to set up the crane.

In a tense few movements Chiappe's boat was quickly brought alongside the dock and the boat was lifted out of the water.

Selio looked ominous throughout the day's racing but the Fin was clearly nervous during the shootout because he almost flipped his boat three times on his first qualifying lap.